The rivers that feed a particular inland sea were diverted to irrigate a nearby desert so that the desert could be used to cultivate cotton. Uncontrolled irrigation resulted in a drastic decrease in the size of the sea, and eventually the sea dried up completely. Many aquatic populations were lost, and the land left behind was covered with salt.

Question

Which of the following solutions would best help restore the ecosystem and prevent it from becoming a desert?
A.
Reconstruct the irrigation system so that water from the river is allowed to enter the ecosystem.
B.
Plant cotton crops in the ecosystem and grow the same crop for at least a decade.
C.
Add synthetic fertilizer to the remaining soil in the ecosystem so that soil fertility increases.
D.
Direct sewage runoff water from local cities into the ecosystem to provide it with nutrient-rich water.

Answer 1

A. Reconstruct the irrigation system so that water from the river is allowed to enter the ecosystem.

This solution would best help restore the ecosystem because it would reintroduce fresh water to the area, which is crucial for restoring the aquatic environment that has been lost. Allowing water to flow back into the inland sea can help revive the aquatic populations, prevent the land from becoming overly saline, and gradually restore a more balanced ecosystem. The other options either exacerbate the problem or do not address the root cause of the degradation.